New requirements to access the Schengen area

New requirements to access the Schengen area

Following the entry into force of the modified Schengen Borders Code, on the 19th of July 2013, conditions to access the Schengen area have changed. These new provisions concern the length of passports’ validity for all non-Schengen nationals, whether or not subject to a short-stay visa.

Under the new section 5 & 1 a) of the Schengen Borders Code, non-Schengen nationals, for a short stay (less than 90 days in a 180-day period in any State of the area) must have a valid travel document authorizing them to cross the external border, which fulfills the following criteria: - It should be valid for at least three months after the date the applicant plans to leave the Schengen area, It was issued less than ten years ago.